Tokyo landlord: why is the panties of the lady next door in my house?!

Behind them, according to Miss Chiba, those people who rushed over were all bodyguards from the Otome family.

As for the ultimate fate of those three burly men, no one asked, no one told.

"Doing good deeds without leaving a name is not a good habit..."

At that time, when Otome Yumeko was telling her story, she was snuggled up in Haruka's embrace, reaching out to touch the handsome face of the youth as if cherishing a priceless treasure.

Had that young man not barged in to buy her some time, would she be at the bottom of Tokyo Bay by now?

Was there even a sliver of a chance she would have been rescued?

She didn't know, nor did she want to know. Miss Chiba never bothered herself with such thoughts; she just needed to know that Haruka Yuzan was the one who saved her.

What else mattered? As long as she has this young man before her...

...

"Meow?"

Roast Meat meowed from Haruka's embrace. This poop scooper seemed lost in thought about something again.

Haruka Yuzan snapped back to reality, suddenly feeling a little bewildered, the rustling from outside the window persisted,

Miss Chiba in the living room sat there, her delicate eyes unrippled,

"After dining with Otome, you become so absent-minded the moment you come home?"

Haruka Yuzan was startled, then smiled gently, "I'm just reflecting on life, that no matter where one is or how envied by others, one still has one's own troubles."

"I heard Shimizu Temple is recruiting apprentices these days. Classmate Haruka, are you interested in joining?"

"Damn it, I saw in the news just the other day that the head priest of Shimizu Temple was also upset with troubles."

"So, reflecting on life like that is pointless. You might as well spend time improving yourself. Only when the soul is elevated can one truly find release."

"So, class leader, have you found release?"

"..." Chiba Shimizu didn't speak.

Haruka Yuzan showed a triumphant smile,

"Talk of release and such, even reading a lot of books can't help understand it; those are other people's thoughts. Only by truly going through things one by one can one gain real release."

Chiba Shimizu, who was always serious, closed her book and glanced at the young man indifferently, her clear autumn-water-like eyes carrying a trace of coldness,

"You're beyond cure..."

"Huh?"

"You actually make not reading books sound so righteous." After saying that, Miss Chiba took the book and headed toward the second floor.

"Just interpreting my words one-sidedly, are you out of strategies, Chiba Student?"

Haruka Yuzan found it amusing, but unfortunately, the young man's retort was unheard by the girl,

that slender figure headed down the corridor... and turned right.

Miss Chiba's room was next to the study on the left side of the corridor, on the right side... other than Haruka's room, there was only Misaki's...

Damn it, she lectures me, then goes off to play games with Misaki Saki?

Hmm... What else would she go to find Misaki Saki for, it must be to play games, right?

Yet, the wish list had not been fulfilled in reality, which suggests that playing games is not something meaningful for Miss Chiba at all.

"Meow?" Roast Meat, curled up in the young man's arms, blinked his bean eyes.

"Keep meowing, and I'll send you to Shimizu Temple to be a lucky cat." Haruka Yuzan rubbed Roast Meat's chubby cheeks.

"Meow meow..."

"..."

----------

"Hoo hoo..."

In the dead of night, the faint moonlight shone through the curtains onto the large bed where two figures were overlaid.

Hadn't they agreed to rest tonight?

However, to thank Madam for her care the other day, they had simply switched roles.

Haruka Yuzan was giving Madam a massage, and Reiko Onodera became the one receiving it.

This kind of thing, it really tests the experience and skills of the master.

Fortunately, Haruka Yuzan was also well-read, from ancient Ozawa Soui to the modern Supernova-Kanna.

He had been hard at study and practice, all to lay a solid foundation for the future.

Where there's a will, there's a way - Haruka Yuzan always believed this firmly.

Beyond mastering theoretical knowledge, he also maintained daily physical training to build a robust physical foundation.

The combination of these two, with Reiko Onodera's response underneath, was the best proof.

"101, 102, 103, 104..."

Haruka Yuzan was silently counting to himself. Was he timing something? It didn't seem so, as the numbers in his mind picked up pace, growing faster and more numerous.

By the time it reached "131",

the boy couldn't even focus on silently counting anymore. In his mind, there was only one thought that mattered...

......

"Huff huff..."

Reiko Onodera wiped the sweat from her forehead with her hand. Perhaps it was because summer was on its approach, but she always felt sticky.

Especially since she was being pressed down by the boy, which made madam feel somewhat breathless.

The blush on her face did not subside. After pushing Haruka Yuzan to the side, Reiko Onodera stood up and habitually reached for the wet towel on the bedside.

Instead of wiping her own sweat or... she kneeled beside him and began to delicately clean the boy's face.

A cool and refreshing feeling spread over his cheek, prompting Haruka Yuzan to open his eyes, and Reiko Onodera showed a tender smile.

Even though she felt uncomfortably sticky herself, occasionally with thick sweat sliding over her skin, the kind madam still chose to endure it first and take care of the young landlord.

The handling of such minute details was often the most touching moment. Haruka Yuzan reached out a large hand towards the droplets on madam's face and casually said,

"Sister Reiko, do you really want to work at the convenience store forever?"

The boy's voice echoed in the bedroom. Roast Meat, who was asleep, moved its ears upon hearing it, turned over, and continued to sleep soundly.

Its chubby cheeks were pressed into the small hammock, looking extremely content.

Probably, even an earthquake wouldn't wake it up unless Haruka did the job.

Upon hearing these words, Reiko Onodera paused, then picked up another wet towel and began to wipe the boy's neck,

her gentle smile holding a tinge of helplessness,

"I also don't want to work at the convenience store forever, but, right now, I don't have many better options..."

In fact, madam had thought about finding another part-time job after completing her shifts at the convenience store.

However, the affairs of the villa left Mrs. Onodera with no time to spare. The fact that the young landlord let her stay here rent-free was already something she was very grateful for. If her own matters were to get in the way of caring for Haruka, it would indeed be difficult to justify.

She couldn't even pass her own internal threshold. In the end, she was just too kindhearted.

"Actually, the choice has always been in front of you." Haruka Yuzan smiled, his large hand beginning to gradually exert more pressure over madam's gentleness,

"Don't just work at the convenience store. You could learn about management skills and regulations..."

Upon hearing this, Reiko Onodera was visibly startled, and her hands stopped moving.

"I've observed that since our community has only been built in the past two years, many of the entertainment and leisure facilities haven't been fully developed yet. I plan to open a coffee shop in the community."

Haruka Yuzan continued to speak, and madam stopped her movements, but the boy did not, "But I'm still in school, and I truly don't have the time or energy to deal with those matters,"

As he spoke, he looked up at Reiko Onodera, flashing a sunny smile,

"When the time comes, it will be up to you, Sister Reiko. You can take advantage of the time at home after work to learn about related subjects, like making desserts, grinding coffee, and so on. Once you've learned them, you'll be the cafe manager."

Upon hearing that Haruka wanted her to be the manager, Reiko Onodera was stunned, her instinctual response was to decline the boy's kindness, "I... I can't do it....."

Before she could finish speaking, Haruka Yuzan interrupted her, "Sister Reiko, you are one of the few people I can trust. We're like family to each other, helping one another. Don't feel burdened."

As he said this, Reiko Onodera felt the boy touch her conscience deeply, coupled with an immense feeling of being moved. She truly did not know how to repay her landlord,

"Haruka..." Suddenly, Reiko Onodera's eyes reddened, and even her voice began to choke up,

"I really don't know how to repay you....."

Tears slid from the corners of her eyes, the words of gratitude too deep to be spoken,

The young landlord could have easily hired a professional manager to handle his business, but he chose to entrust the position to her.

What advantages did she have compared to those professionals? None at all. It was a one-sided act of trust, of belief.

From the beginning, the boy had been helping her with her life, career, body, and spirit, with his attention to detail and actions slowly influencing this beautiful woman.

At this moment, Reiko Onodera felt herself falling, completely ensnared by the tender web woven by Haruka.

All that had transpired before had once left Reiko Onodera in a state of confusion and hesitation, afraid to admit that she had fallen in love with a boy still attending Kokoku High,

This kind of love was not acknowledged in madam's worldview, especially considering the natural discrepancy between their statuses, making Reiko Onodera always feel inferior when facing Haruka Yuzan....

She could only pretend to be clueless every day, passive towards the boy's requests, neither proactive nor rejecting them... constantly cautioning herself that she really couldn't fall for this boy who was more than a decade younger than her....

Emotions continued to be suppressed until tonight, when her humble affections could no longer be contained.

Just for one night, let it be for just one night, just for tonight...

"Sister Reiko, I love you. The future will surely be brighter." Haruka Yuzan said with a hint of distress as he wiped the tears from madam's eyes.

"Mmm....."

A thousand words seemed inadequate compared to the expressiveness of action.

For the first time, Reiko Onodera took the initiative to lower her head and offer her own sweet kiss to the boy.

This night was the most wild night for madam, and in Haruka Yuzan's memory, there was only that swaying hair and that mature, alluring body.

"Haruka... I love you..."

"Mmm, I love you too, Sister Reiko...."